迷花

 

PURPLE  BOOK 3

 

 

迷花

Fascinating flowers

 

庭院里的春天，格外动人。

The spring in the courtyard is particularly exciting.

 

西班牙  科尔多瓦

Cordoba, Spain

 

“瞧，那么多的院子，那么多漂亮的鲜花，难道你不想把自己家也打扮成这样子吗？”这来自我心底的声音，如同一尾潜于水底许久的鱼，见到水间折射而来的绚烂天光，耐不住要跳出来了。那样的渴望和欣喜。哎，薰衣草，石榴花，还有郁金香，这就是传说中的科尔多瓦庭院节吧！在一年一度的科尔多瓦庭院节，年轻的骑士要驾着美丽的马车，穿越乡野前往Linares神殿向Virgin女神朝圣。而老百姓中也热闹非凡，展开了庭院装饰竞赛。这一日的科尔多瓦，每一个阳台都缀满花草，每一个庭院都闪耀着春天，格外动人。

 

“Look, so many patios, so many beautiful flowers! Surely it doesn’t mean that you don’t want to decorate your home like this.” This voice coming from the bottom of my heart is just like a fish which has long been concealing itself at the bottom of the water and couldn’t help jumping out on seeing the brilliant sky light. I excitedly crave for it so much! Oh, lavender, pomegranate and tulip as well. It is Cordoba Patio Festival, isn’t it? During the annual Cordoba Patio Festival, young men drive beautiful coaches across the countryside to go on the pilgrimage of the conquering Virgin of the Linares Sanctuary. The people there also busy with Balcony Contest. On this day in Cordoba, every balcony is adorned with plants and flowers, every patio is sparkling with delight in the beautiful spring.

 

 

 

细语缓步之间的花街天堂。

Gently talking and slowly strolling in the heaven of flower streets

 

西班牙   巴塞罗那   卡布蓝里大街

St. Cabranli, Barcelona, Spain 

 

 

   不到卡布蓝里大街，你无法明白鲜花是怎样影响一个城市的表情和气质的。卡布蓝里大街，巴塞罗那当地人称之为“鲜花大街”，这条笔直的街道穿过市中心古老的卡斯佩尔街区，街道两旁“种植”着百年以上历史的古老建筑物。之所以是“种植”，因为那不是简单的矗立，是如同在土壤出生长出来一样自然而和谐。沿街遍布商店、酒店。色彩绚丽的招牌和酒幌，是招惹风景的情致。15米宽的主街，两边栽满高大的法国梧桐，绿荫婆娑、仪态挺拔。来自加泰罗尼亚山区的花商们出售自己培育出来的鲜花，将这里汇聚成为一条花香浮动的河流。虽说卡布蓝里大街是巴塞罗那市最繁华的商业街，但是这里却安静得出奇，既无人大声喧哗，也不见有人高声讨价还价。只见当地居民和游人迈着缓缓的步子，静静地或是细心观赏花卉，或是买花购物，人们说话时几乎头挨着头，尽量压低声音，生怕破坏了静谧和谐的气氛。花商们身着古老的民族服装，总是笑吟吟的迎客，没人拉客抢客、强买强卖。若不是看到路边的招牌，花商们慈眉善目的模样，很难把他们同商人扯到一起。因我的理解，这是一种对原乡文化的坚持和固守吧，看似浪漫随意的西班牙人，其实始终恪守着心底所尊敬的礼仪，生怕一点点的疏忽，都会惊扰到上帝赐予的如此美景。

　

Without going to St. Cabranli, you cannot understand how flowers affect the qualities of a city. The residents of Barcelona call St. Cabranli a

Flower Street

. This straight street goes through the ancient Carlsberg Borough located in the downtown of the city. Over one-hundred-year-old buildings are “planted” along road sides. The reason for me to say “planted” is that this ancient building does not simply stand tall and erect and that it seems to grow up from soil, natural and harmonious. Shops and hotels are all along the streets. Colorful signboard and shop signs are rather attractive. The 15-meter-wide main street is sandwiched by high plane trees which stand there tall and straight with branches swirling. The florists coming from Catalonia are selling the self-bred flowers which converge to make a fragrant river.Though being the most prosperous commercial street in Barcelona, St. Cabranli is surprisingly tranquil with neither hubbub nor aloud bargains. Everywhere you can see that both local residents and foreign visitors, walking with slow steps, either quietly appreciate diverse flowers or carefully do shopping. When talking, people nearly have their head close to each other, but they try to make their voices as lower as possible for fear that the tranquil and harmonious atmosphere should be destroyed. Wearing both the traditional clothes in ancient styles or smiling faces, they warmly welcome visitors without scrambling for customers or doing forced buy and forced sale. Without seeing the signboards at roadsides, you would find that it is hardly possible to connect the florists’ amiable countenances to businessmen. As far as I can understand, it is to persevere in and stick on traditional culture. The Spanish seem to be romantic and to do everything at will, but in fact they always scrupulously abide by the etiquette and ceremony which they worship from the bottom of their hearts lest the splendid scenery given by God should be damaged with even a little bit careless.

 

 

西班牙小镇的瑰丽奇境。

The magnificent wonderland in the little Spanish town

 

在梦的街口反复重演。

Restage at the crossroad of dream

 

Mojacar  安达卢西亚

Mojacar in Andalusia

 

Mojacar，是安达卢西亚风景秀美的小镇，面临蔚蓝的地中海，诉说着几个世纪的时间变迁，这里仍旧保持着摩尔人的过去，车停在山脚下，拾阶步行，随蜿蜒石头小路曲折而上，在中心广场，品上一杯咖啡，慢慢体会艺术家不尽的灵感之地。除了一些游客，街上寂静得出奇，白色外墙，鲜花点缀，阵阵橘香，缓缓沁入心脾，抬眼远眺，绿色平原装点着度假别墅，蓝色的泳池，青色浅黄淡粉的屋顶，平静的海滩一望无际地延伸，这是色彩丰沛的印象派风情，这是西班牙赠予我们永难磨灭的绮丽的梦。

 

As a little beautiful town of Andalusia facing the blue Mediterranean Sea, Mojacar is saying the changes which have taken place in the last few centuries.  Something about Morisco has still been preserved. You may just park your car at the foot of the hills and then go up along the winding trail; and finally, at the central square, a cup of coffee in hand, you may slowly relish the artistic atmosphere here. Except for some visitors, there is nearly nobody in the streets where it is surprisingly quiet. The white outer walls are adorned with flowers and the fragrance of oranges gladdens people’s hearts. Looking into the distance, you’ll see that the green plain is dotted with holiday villas with blue swimming pools and roofs in diverse colors such as dark blue, light yellow or light pin. And the peaceful beach stretches as far as one can see. This colorful scenery is just like a picture in expressionist style which is really an indelible and beautiful dream given by Spain.

 

按图索骥，在金科.帕提欧

Searching in 金科Patio according to map

 

找到记忆中的梦园。

You’ll find your dream patio hidden in your memory

 

恍若被色彩大师调教过的地中海，简明而经典的蓝白色，为一切想象可及的艳丽配搭预留最广阔的底色。金黄色流淌，紫色蔓延，赭石沙黄、斑斓青绿、好看的糅杂在一起。在这视线迷失的绚烂里，记忆却化作岸边一枚浅浅埋在沙滩的白色贝壳，安静守望，唯恐遗失每个瞬间的风景。我惊异地发现，在帕提欧，原来按图索骥，真的找到记忆中的那枚贝壳。在六朝帝京，皇家之地。金科.帕提欧，汤泉深处的鲜花红堡，在西班牙主题的水庭之畔，在活力开朗的情感建筑和在美仑美奂的园林之中，会带我进入西班牙小镇的瑰丽梦境吗？

                                                       

Here, as if painted with brilliant colors by master, is just like the Mediterranean Sea. You’ll find that the simple but classic blue and white colors have formed a magnificent ground color which is as rich as what you can imagine. The golden color is flowing and the purple color is stretching. Reddish brown, sand yellow, gorgeous dark green, diverse colors are exquisitely blended. Within this amazing floridness, your memory has already turned into a white shell which is shallowly lying under the beach and quietly awaiting there lest any splendid scenery should be missed instantly. To my great surprise and delight, in金科.Patio, I have really found the shell in my memory according to a map. Where does it exist? It is just lying in the ancient city which was taken as a capital by six dynasties, in金科.Patio, in the red castle adorned with beautiful lowers, in the depth of Tangquan, at the waterfront with a Spanish theme, and among the emotional buildings and wonderful gardens. Can all these bring us into the elegant dream of a Spanish little town?

 

 

会所门前的两棵大树。

Two big trees in front of the door of the guildhall

已恭候我数十年。            

Have been waiting for me decades of years

 

我的步，缓缓而踏实，在质感温暖的石板铺成的地面，我用脚步演奏西班牙悠扬吉他。西班牙雕塑喷泉是水的幻想之神，迎接我的到来，道路两侧那两棵胸径宽阔的大树，树冠的浓荫遮了天空，阳光在空隙里撒下明暗错结的影，是无声的律动。光阴的流转没有让他们衰老。他们远道而来，成为守护这座城邦的智者。跌水池在步道的中央。把水和石的心气儿都和谐地融在一起，树木倒映水中，水中树，石中水。而我只有感叹天工造物的奇幻了，接下来，就是静静欣赏了。

 

My steps are slow and steady. On the flag-stone floor with a warm feeling, I use my steps to play the beautiful Spanish guitar music. The sculptural fountain in Spanish style is the fancy god of the water who is welcoming me. The two big trees stand at both roadsides.  Their tops keep out the sky and the sunshine comes through the branches and leaves. The shadows, dark or bright, are soundless tones. They have not been worn out with time. Coming from far away, they have become wise marksmen who are defending this castle.

The pond is located in the centre of the walking area. The water and the stone are combined in harmony. The reflection of the trees in the water is excellent. Looking at the trees in the water and the water among stones, you will have an amazing feeling. We are in deed deeply moved on seeing the magnificent scenery made by Nature, and what we should do next is silently appreciate it.

 

 

那湖心的火红花岛，

The flame-red flower isle in the centre of the lake

 

是波光影调吟诵的十四行诗。

Is a sonnet chanted by glistening waves.

 

毫无疑问，这里是水的欢场，引自东泉的温泉水缓缓注入千余平米泳池，即使在寒冷的冬天，这里也是流动不息的。在中心岛，满铺的红色花朵毫不吝啬地铺张热情，如水面燃点的火焰，泳池驳岸的曲线，仿佛十四行诗的韵脚般，优美浓情，流连顾盼，就连池边树木也是被风情浸染的，临风玉立。

 

Doubtlessly, here is the pleasant place of water. Coming from the hot spring East Spring, the water slowly flows into the swimming pool of over 1,000 square meters. Even if in cold winter days, the water here still does not cease flowing. On the central isle, the red flowers are enthusiastic as if being flames burning on the water surface. Like the rhyme of a sonnet, the curve of the bank of the swimming pool is so beautiful and emotional even the tall and erect trees elegantly standing on the bank are deeply moved.

 

游泳池岸

The bank of the swimming pool

 

游泳池岸，是人们水中嬉戏之后休憩放松，闲情交谈的绝佳地点。

The bank of the swimming pool is the best place for getting relaxed and chatting leisurely.

 

树木倒映的泳池

The swimming pool with the amazing reflection of the trees in the water

 

临池的树木倒映季节的色彩，浅浅的池水，让孩子安全地玩耍嬉闹。

Is a good place for kids to play safely in the colorful season.

 

用银杏写意人生的

Write our life with gingkoes

 

时间廊。        

In the time gallery

 

温泉泳池在我身后，目送我迈步走上5米宽，40米长的银杏大道，经过这条大道，我将去到那翘首以待的风情建筑群中。而这条以最富光阴寓意的时间步道，却是每每让我感怀人生的所在。20棵高大的银杏树，挺拔向上。如同侍者恭临主人和礼宾的到来。骄阳清风中的春夏浓荫，金黄天幕下的秋之私语，林间矮凳上的冬日暖阳。在每个朝露清晨，落日余辉，在树阵间的水洗石路上漫步思考，坐在树池上静休身心。耳畔似有西班牙风情雕塑小品诉说的那些动人的异域传说。

 

The hot spring swimming pool behind me is watching me stepping up

Gingko Boulevard

, 5 miters wide and 40 miters. Along this boulevard, I’ll go to the elegant buildings which I have been longing for. Pregnant with profound meaning of time, this street, only for walking, always makes all sorts of feelings about my life welling up in my mind. Tall and straight, the twenty big gingkoes are just like servants waiting for their mater and like hosts waiting for distinguished guests. Being bathed in the mild breeze in spring, under the cool shade of these gingkoes in summer, under the brilliant sky curtain in autumn, or even under the warm sun in winter, people can enjoy a good time here all year round. Either the morning dew or the setting sun can make you engrossed in thought so long as you walk on the stone trails among the big trees. You can also get relaxed by quietly sitting and musing on the banks of the pools as if hearing the touching stories about foreign countries which are told by the little sculpture in Spanish styles.

 

 

 

 

银杏大道

Gingko Boulevard

 

整齐排列的银杏树阵，是社区中令人流连的景观场所，也是寄托业主悠逸心情的时间步道。

 

Arranged in good order, these gingkoes provide the neighborhood both a good site for scenery appreciating and leisurely walking and a best place for the owners to repose their nice wish and leisurely mood.

 

西班牙景观雕塑。

Spanish scenery sculpture

 

将风情一瞬，化作永恒之美。

 Turn the instant scenery into everlasting beauty                                  

 

在帕提欧，那些取自西班牙传说的主题雕塑，用石材雕刻，处处流露着尊贵的宫廷气息。他们为我的梦园积蕴了浓郁西班牙风情。叠水喷泉、迎宾池等均是西班牙皇家园林中极为重要的构成元素，他们都用马赛克铺底，以斑斓的色彩描摹着一个艺术丰沛的国度所拥有的纵情才华，作为主景区的重要景观布置，雕塑和小品的精神象征更是在第一时间打动人心。

 

Based on Spanish folklores, the theme sculptures in Patio were carved with stone and the honorable manner of palace show up everywhere. All these sculptures have accumulated a rich Spanish flavor. As the most important elements of Spanish royal gardens, both fountains and pools have a mosaic bottom. Their brilliant colors displayed the graceful manner of a country which is full of arts. As the most important sights in the main scenery area, the sculptures touch us at an early time with their spirits.s

 

 

林间的生态溪水，

The ecological water of the stream in the woods,

 

在冬天依然潺潺流淌。

Still runs in winter.

 

我的惊异和好奇，是这里的溪水。直接引自东泉温泉水的生态溪流，不必看冬天的脸色。即使在寒冷的天气里，依然潺潺流淌，为帕提欧写下永恒蜿蜒的风情。道路两边的树木，搭起一道绿色的走廊，浓荫密布的景观步道，同时也是一条隐形的消防通道。保证主人的安全。

 

What makes me surprised and arouses my curiosity is the stream water. The ecological water comes from the natural hot spring – the East Spring, and therefore winter is not fearful at all. Even in cold winter days the water can still run smoothly so that to provide an everlasting elegant manner to Patio. Trees along the roadside make a green gallery which is not only a boulevard for walking and sighting but also a secret fire-fighting passageway providing a safety guarantee to the owners.

                                                                                                    

林木间，小桥流水，沿着溪水的脉络，桥连接了不同景观区域的惊喜之处，让景观瞬间灵动起来。

 

Little bridges and flowing water can be seen everywhere among the woods. Connected each other by the stream water and bridges, diverse scenery spots are enlivened at once.

 

                                                                 20P

 

越过溪流上的小桥，

Across the little bridges over the streams,

 

是家人欢聚的乐园。         

There is the paradise for happy family reunion.

 

孩子们的笑声，从越过小桥的时候就弥漫开了，这里是主广场，也是整个社区里温情浓郁的场所，一幕幕动人的幸福场景，都在这里被反复播放。欧式花坛里正是鲜花盛放，水池中，粼粼波光闪耀。年轻的夫妇和稚气的孩子一起嬉戏，鹤发老人牵手坐在休闲椅上微笑观望，全家人的欢颜都在这里绽放着，邻里之间亲切招呼，谈天说地，或是一边悠闲的健身。这样的景致，怎能不令人动容呢？

 

The laughing of kids can be heard everywhere across the little bridge. Here is the main square which is also the most affectionate place. Numerous happy scenes are shown here. The flowers are blooming in the flower beds with the European style. And the water in the pool is glistening. Young couples and their lively kids are playing together, while the white-haired aged ones are sitting on the benches smilingly watching their families. All people in the neighborhood live in amity with each other. A scene of harmony is presented here through a friendly greeting or lovely smile. How can it be possible that a person cannot be deeply touched by this moving scene?

 

小孩子的天堂，色彩艳丽的游乐园，阳光、清风、花草鲜活的生长。在主广场区，专门为儿童设计的玩乐场所是表达家庭亲情的最重要场景，以家族中未来一代为中心的和睦画面成为这里永不过时的温馨景观。

 

The colorful children’s playground, sunshine, breeze and diverse plants.  All of these turned this place a paradise for kids. The children’s playground in the main area of the square is an important place to express the kindsfolk feelings. It presents a scene of harmony shown by the new generation of the families.

 

主入口的景观通道也设计为银杏树廊，具备浓郁的欢迎气息和仪式感，西班牙手工石柱上的陶土花盆中，热情似火的花朵在骄傲盛放，与安逸美好的银杏树木相映成趣，跌水步道潺潺流过，带来地中海风格无比惬意的自然气息。

 

The gingko gallery at the main entrance shows a feeling of welcome and ceremony. The pottery flower pots on the handed made stone columns in Spanish style are full of beautiful flowers. All these flowers and gingkoes offer a delightful contrast with each other. Together with the water running through here, all these present a pleasant natural atmosphere in a Mediterranean style.

 

 

入口广场以花坛为中心，配合欧式古典主义的跌水景观。自然意趣，浑然天成。

 

With a flower bed as its centre, the square at the entrance has a scene of folded water in the classic European style. A delight of nature comes into being naturally.

 

在帕提欧。

At Patio

 

我和几十种植物成为“心”朋友。

I have made bosom friends with several decades of plants.

 

明媚、宁静、纯澈、禅悟、欲念、虚浮、放逐、赤诚、雅致、迷惑……。你能想到有多少生命中的气象，就能够捕获到多少与花、与植物有关的情绪讯息。爱花者天性如此，如同把自己坦然放逐给自然，面朝一株盛放的菊诉说隐秘，生命中从此多了一种语言密码，游走在帕提欧，如同亲临一次植物百科鉴赏，用细腻心思萃取自然的精华。在这里集粹了上百种植物，共生葱茏。大银杏、白皮松、大雪松、玉兰、元宝枫、云杉、水杉、银杏、白桦、蒙古栎、樱花、红枫。这些有着漂亮名字的树木，从此，都是我生命中的新伙伴了。

 

Brilliant, tranquil, crystal-clear, consciousness after meditation, desire, superficial, exile, honesty, elegance, perplexing … You can get the information about flowers and plants  as much as you can get the life elements from here. Whoever loves flowers can surely find what he loves best. Facing a chrysanthemum, one can talk with it about his inner secrets. When they step into Patio, he will feel like entering a garden with diverse flowers and plants, such as big gingkoes, white-barked pines, deodars, magnolias, maples, dragon spruces, metasequoias, gingkoes, white birches, the Mongolian quercus, cherries, and so on.  From now on, all plants with these beautiful names will become my new companions in my life.

 

归家的陶土路。

Going home along a pottery road,

 

总会让我不自觉停下来。

I always stop my steps unconsciously.

 

 

 

 

曾经走过地中海的迷人小镇，我相信，在人情丰饶的所在，连路都有感情的。在金科.帕提欧，我的归家路径用质感温暖的红棕色的陶土砖铺设。蜿蜒悠长，连接在户与户之间。那样不光滑但很温暖的质感，写满了慢日子和好情绪，路边种植着层次分明的灌木与乔木，完全看不到地上的土壤。就这样悠悠的，我甚至希望回家的路可以更长一些。

 

Since I once walked through the amazing little towns in the Mediterranean area, I believe that everything is full of feelings including roads. In Patio, the road for me to go home is paved with red brown pottery bricks which present a warm feeling. Winding and long, the road links up all the families. With a warm and un-slippery feeling and bushes and arbores on both sides, this road always provides me with so good a mood that I even hope that the road for going home can become a little bit longer.

 

 

记载年轮的树木，

The trees full of annual rings,

 

在此成为象征福祉的望族家徽。      37

 

Has become a prosperous family’s emblem symbolizing happiness .

 

进门前，我已习惯抬头仰望。在我和我的每位邻居门前都会栽种一棵标志性树木，十几年的树龄，树冠丰满，枝叶繁盛。他是我的家门牌，也是家族中的一员。苍翠的树木经历岁月荏苒，是深植望族精神的象征物。

 

As a habit, I always raise my head and have a look before entering home. There is a marking tree planted in front of each house which is as old as over ten years. With flushing branches and leaves, it is either the house number board or a member of my family. Having gone through years of renovation, this green tree has already turned into a symbol with the glorious spirits of a prosperous family.

 

 

户与户之间的树木，连接着自然和居所之间的精神纽带，唤起了人们真正回归自然，居住自然的渴望。漫步其间，沐浴树语人生。

 

The trees between houses are a sort of spiritual tie which links up the nature and the dwelling places and simultaneously incites our wish to return to and live in the nature. Walking among the trees, I can feel that they are talking to me about life.

 

 

盛装以待。

In gala dress,

 

打开夜幕吧。                       55

Open the night curtain.

 

 

白日里目醉神迷。我也同样爱着这里的夜，因为光的演出，更有一番别样滋味。

每当夜幕低垂，欧式街灯照亮步道，景观和雕塑被光线勾勒，演化为一幕光的组曲。情绪似乎转折为奇异的梦乡，进入另一处秘密境地，那是心灵深处不易开启的神秘园。

 

I am intoxicated with the beautiful scenery in the day time. Yet I also love the night here, because the performance of light shows a distinctive charm. When the curtain of the night falls, the street lights in European style begins to shine on the walking boulevard; then the scenery and sculptures are outlined by the amazing lights; hence a suite of lights. And thereafter, my mood appears to turn into a dream which is so wonderful that I unconsciously enter another secret place, namely a mysterious parade in the depth of my soul which cannot be easily opened.

 

 

灯光，是园林的第二件华服。灯具造型本身亦是这绚丽演出中极为重要的道具，在它的映衬和烘托下,高低错落的树木变做舞台幕布,一场完全不同于白日里的华美戏剧开场了。

 

Light is the second gorgeous dress for a garden. And the lights in diverse styles are the most important props for this wonderful performance. Trees, tall and short, stand out as the stage curtain in relief against the charming light. A wonderful drama starts, which is quite different from that in the day time.

 

天光明亮的早晨

Bright morning

 

城堡就在眼前。

The castle is right before our eyes.

 

在天光明亮的早晨，带着打开心中秘密花园的钥匙，我将去到那心仪已久的城堡。视线尽处，斑斓的植物层叠交织，如锦缎倾泻而下，衬托自然圣殿的立面光影，期许降临，那是不可抗拒的沉迷围城，外面的人要冲进来，里面的人却已甘愿投降，而我，心怀游历西班牙小镇那久违的触动和惊喜，希望就此被围困吧。

 

In the bright morning, with the key to open the door of the secret garden in my heart, I am going to the castle which I have long been yearning for. Gazing afar, I can see that at the end of my vision line, diverse plants in bright gay colors are blended with each other just like beautiful silk or colorful waterfall which is pouring down. In relief against the amazing light, they seem to have turned into a charming city which the people outside want to rush into but the people inside are willing to surrender themselves to. But I wish I could be besieged here with the pleasant surprise which I once experienced when I visited the little Spanish towns before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is that time again. This May will be just like any other in Cordoba. It will be busy with the first tourists of Spring, it will be eventful and it is sure to be a riot of colour. Later in the month those who go weak at the knees over the sight of a horse, myself included incidentally, will pack the streets for the traditional ferria. Flamenco dresses at the ready girls!

 

Before then those who love flowers will arrive in Cordoba. They come to enjoy the famous patio festival. Pretty town houses located in some of the oldest streets of the City come alive with colourful displays of geraniums, carnations and jasmines. Pots by the hundreds adorn window ledges, staircases and doors. In a very genteel manner, tourists wander from patio to patio to admire the work put in by the owners and to acquire ideas that would enliven their own Andalucian patios.

 

Homeowners compete for first prize. I don’t know how the judges decide who wins the top accolade. First off, the standard is so high. Secondly, so many of the entrants create patios which, how can I put this delicately?, are not altogether unlike the ones created by their neighbours! Déjà vu is alive and well when touring the patio displays. Or as one Spanish friend put it: "Seen one Cordoban patio, you have seen them all."

 

Not true, say I. Although I do hope that more originality is on show this time around compared to when I visited last year. Then it seemed to me that Geraniums were everywhere. Don’t get me wrong, for instant Spring colour you cannot beat a geranium, but Andalucians seem obsessed with them. When I try to grow trailing Jasmine from my pots on the front balconies the women of my village tell me off. It should, they insist, be geraniums on show to passers by.

 

Historically patios were used by Romans to hold meetings – and Cordoba is awash with both history and colour. In the pretty streets that are the venue for the competition, the crowds are growing much faster than the exhibits! By the very nature of the enclosed spaces, it can be difficult to be able to stand back and admire the hard work employed by the owners. I suggest you be patient. The crowds ebb and flow. Wait a while and there will be a lull between tour parties large and small.

 

The people who create these glorious corners in Cordoba have striven for months to ensure that they can present a patio fit to adorn the cover of a box of chocolates. The wet weather during April will not have helped their cause.

Many of the private, white washed homes in Cordoba are centuries old. They are among the most photographed properties in Andalucia. The scent of lemon and orange blossom fills the air and numerous fountains provide a backdrop of running water. I was pleasantly surprised at how peaceful these streets are, especially when one considers that the hustle and bustle of tourist attractions such as La Mezquita and the wider City are so close by.

 

At the beginning of each festival patio maps should be available to you via local businesses and in the Tourist Office. Don’t set off on the trail without one as you may not be able to distinguish whether or not you have already seen a particular patio. In Cordoba it really is possible to have too much of a good thing!

 

Entrance to the various courtyards and patios of the homeowners is free. However, there is always someone sat by the entrance with a gratuity box or hat on show. You are under no pressure to pay but I believe it is a small price to pay for enjoying such colourful displays. I doff my garden hat and salute them all. Their love of patios will ensure that at least one of the more pleasant on the eye of all Spanish traditions will live on and be enjoyed by generations to come.